The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr Danny Faure, undertook a working visit to Abu Dhabi following an invitation from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

During their meeting yesterday, President Faure and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reviewed the existing bilateral relations between the two countries, and exchanged views on strengthening and consolidating these relations for the mutual benefit of both peoples.

Commenting that Seychelles and the UAE are bound by very special ties of fraternal friendship based on mutual respect and understanding, President Faure expressed appreciation for the UAE’s reliable support to Seychelles’ socioeconomic advancement over the years.

President Faure indicated that with the numerous projects that the two countries are implementing together, the shared vision of development is one that fundamentally links the two countries and two peoples.

As part of this ongoing partnership, the two leaders discussed the scope for cooperation that exists in pivotal sectors like education, health, housing, and renewable energy. They agreed that there was a need for the two countries to work more closely together to bring further development to these four key sectors. They emphasised that the depth of the bilateral relationship between the two countries can only be truly measured by the positive difference that it continues to make in the lives of the Seychellois people in these sectors of development.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed the importance of bolstering cooperation to further the progress and prosperity of the Seychellois people. The two leaders identified a number of mechanisms to further deepen cooperation in these sectors through additional infrastructure-oriented projects. They also agreed on the need for further cooperation and innovation in the renewable energy sector especially with regard to solar energy in order to reduce Seychelles’ expenditure on non-renewable energy consumption.

As the UAE celebrates 45 years of nationhood and Seychelles entered its 40th year of independence, President Faure remarked that Seychelles is more encouraged than ever by prospects of enhanced partnership.

“The UAE’s ambitious vision for the future has very rapidly transformed it into a nation that serves as an example to be followed, largely due to the dedicated commitment of its government and its populace to furthering its progress and development. This value is mirrored in the great importance that the Government of Seychelles attaches to people-centered development. In this regard, I have no doubt that the success of the UAE and the Emirati people will continue to move from strength to strength,” said President Faure.